Municipal Light Issues Energy Warning

The Belmont Municipal Light Department has issued an energy warning for all residents.

Dangerously high temperatures and humidity are predicted for the next two days, BMLD notes, and are asking for help to reduce the electrical load by reducing or rescheduling the use of electricity whenever possible. Avoid using nonessential electrical appliances and electronics during the next few days.

Here are a few tips by the BMLD:

• Run appliances such as washing machines, dryers, ovens, and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night.

• Use a microwave to cook, or a barbecue outside, if possible.

• Set your air conditioner thermostat no lower than 78 degrees.  Each degree lower increases cooling costs by 6 percent.

• If you have a room air-conditioner, close off the rooms not being used; if you have central air, close the vents in unused rooms.

• Turn off lights and other appliances, using a timer to turn them on as necessary. 

• Keep cool with fans, air conditioning, and cool baths or showers. You can make your own air conditioner by placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan and letting it blow on you.

• When the temperature cools and you can open the windows, remember that window fans work best when blowing air out, so put your fan on the sunny side of the house and let it pull out the hot air while pulling cool air from open windows on the shady side.

• Keep shades or curtains pulled on the sunny side of the house.